Drivers supportive of penalty points

Formula 1 drivers say that the new penalty points system is a positive move for the sport.

From 2014, stewards have been able to endorse a driver's super license with penalty points if they are deemed to have transgressed.

If a driver receives 12 penalty points within the space of a year, they will be banned from the next event.

Several racers have already accumulated penalty points; Jules Bianchi has four, Pastor Maldonado three while Valtteri Bottas, Kevin Magnussen and Adrian Sutil have each amassed two.

"I think it’s OK," said Sutil. "I’m not sure if anyone will reach the full 12 but after three races, having four, then he [Bianchi] should reach it very soon. Let’s see how it’s going to be.

"Most important is that there was a change from last year because there were at certain times some penalties, especially for the backmarkers, which were not doing anything. If you’re last and you get a ten place penalty you’re still last and that’s it. This is a little bit different and I think there was a reason why it should be changed and now we need a little bit of time to see if it is working. I hope so."

"I think you reach 12 if you’re a bad boy but yeah, I think this system is OK," added Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo. "It’s trying to keep us in line, really, so if it helps then yeah."

Esteban Gutierrez, who was tipped into a flip by Maldonado in Bahrain, says it makes drivers respect each other more.

"I think it’s a good system," he said. "It puts some conscience on ourselves to not do wrong moves and to respect each other and to race in a fair way, which is how racing should be."